Isaiah 48:17-19 / Matthew 11:16-19
One of the frustrating situations in a meeting, whether in church or elsewhere, is when people are silent about the issues that are being discussed.
It is frustrating because time is being wasted as people sit around and keep quiet about the issues without offering their opinions or suggestions.
It is frustrating because we don't know what they are feeling about the issues and what is on their minds. And we leave the meeting frustrated and disappointed.
But if people's silence can be frustrating and also disappointing, what more people's criticism, as we heard in the gospel.
But Jesus showed us that affirmation and encouragement are indeed noble deeds.
He affirmed and encouraged the faith of the centurion, the woman who anointed His feet with precious oil, the widow who gave up all she had, etc.
Jesus came to restore us to our dignity as children of God so that we can have self-respect, and He will affirm and encourage us whenever we make sacrifices and do the will of God in our lives.
As the 1st reading puts it, we only have to be alert to the voice of God that is spoken by others, then our happiness would flow like a river and our integrity will rise like the waves of the sea.
So let us learn this wisdom of God - that by affirmation and encouragement, we continue the mission of Jesus in helping people realize who they are so that they will turn back to God.